FSU's second spring scrimmage featured physical 'bloodbath' on goal-line

Seminoles' intense workout one of the best coach Jimbo Fisher said he's seen

April 8, 2013|By Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel

TALLAHASSEE — Near the end of Florida State's scrimmage inside Doak Campbell Stadium on Monday afternoon, coach Jimbo Fisher issued a charge to his team.

"He said he didn't care what the result [of a play] was," RB James Wilder Jr. recalled. "He just wanted to see if when we're tired, are we going to quit? Are we going to fake hurt? Are we going to lay down?"

For about 30 minutes at the close of a practice that lasted more than two hours, Fisher had his offense and defense in short-yardage territory, repeating a set of intense goal-line drills. The grueling final series of plays left Fisher feeling encouraged.

"Goal-line was a bloodbath," Fisher said. "It was physical. It was nasty. It was the way you ought to play football on both sides of the ball.

"We've got a lot of growth to do, but there's a heck of a lot of potential. There's a heck of a lot of pride in this group."

As the lone healthy tailback, Wilder was featured often during the goal-line sequence. Routinely, when he was given the ball, he was met around the line of scrimmage by linebackers including Winter Park native Christian Jones.

"You've got to be ready to bring it," Jones said.

• Due in part to physical practices, the Seminoles may will be without at least one more player when they hold the "Garnet and Gold" spring game at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Fisher said DT Timmy Jernigan suffered a high ankle sprain last week and will be in a cast for the next three to four weeks. Fisher also is still is unsure about RB Devonta Freeman's spring game status. Freeman also hurt his ankle last week.